Stannane
Stannane or tin hydride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula SnH4. It is a colourless gas that ignites on contact with air. SnH4 is a heavy analogue of methane but much less robust. In contrast to this rarely used species, stannane also refers to a large collection of organotin compounds.
Preparation and reactions
Stannane can be prepared by the reaction of tin chloride| and lithium aluminium hydride according to the following idealized equation:Stannane decomposes slowly at room temperature to give metallic tin and hydrogen.
Organotin hydrides are more stable, e.g. triphenyltin hydride, also known as triphenylstannane.